Nikola Jokic is revolutionizing the center position

Nikola Jokic is one of a kind so it's easy to miss how great he is. Jokic is the best offensive passing big man ever, but he might also be the best offensive center in NBA history. How does he do it? This detailed film room analysis looks at the Nuggets superstar center, incorporating data and stats to understand how good he might be.
Support at Patreon: / thinkingbasketball
Book: www.amazon.com/Thinking-Baske...
Podcast: player.fm/series/thinking-bas... or at www.stitcher.com/podcast/ben-...
Website: www.backpicks.com
Twitter: @elgee35
Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
www.pbpstats.com @bballport
www.basketball-reference.com
stats.nba.com
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
Music by csus (instrumental)
#ThinkingBasketball

[@DangerousPython]

Jokic’s career highlights once he retires will be endless

[@racimegacar]

haha yes, exactly, great point

[@zutabrada6956]

they already are endless

[@netsch20]

They almost already are lmao

[@yunan9610]

The thing with his highlights is that you want to replay it multiple times, to see the passes, and then the cutters movement

[@jangold3981]

had a stroke reading this

[@ADifferentVibe]

Jokic gives off the strongest Dad playing pickup with little boys type of vibes...

[@baseballpimp1910]

Fr like when he faked out the entire Hornets defense lmao

[@goodjohnhunting]

Awesome! Lololol

[@GCWen]

The pass around Robinson’s ear is insane. Not only does jokic do a no look, he also switches hands. I also didn’t realize how involved jokic was off and on the ball.

[@YunisRajab]

I could not believe that. It was last second in the air and the guy wasn't open until the ball got to him

[@lolodarager4671]

My high ass verbally gasped in awe.

[@RaZeLise]

@@YunisRajab yeahh man. Since we have the audience view, most of the time we could guess how the player is going to pass but joker is on the other level as if he can see into future🤯🤯

[@OjoRojo40]

You can clearly see at 9:24 how he decides NOT to pass the ball. It's not that he didn't see the cut.

[@metalsadman]

@@OjoRojo40 yep he saw giannis looking at him, meaning he was anticipating the pass and can easily reached to deflect or steal so he decided not to.

[@anandvarma940]

Just a daily reminder that Jokic was Pick 41 in the draft. And the man's about to win MVP. Damn.

[@tobiaschaparro2372]

The nuggets made the best draft pick EVER that draft. EASILY

[@xspacey2167]

@Fantomas646 he is 27 my g

[@mve5758]

@@xspacey2167 he's actually 26 (since February).

[@alexwhite3830]

It's unlikely they would give the MVP to a white guy after all this madness about racism

[@futurehofer1564]

he was gonna be a lottery pick in 2015, but the Nuggets told him to stay in the 2014 cause they were gonna draft him

[@duncanwalter3613]

I love Jokic just because he slows the game down, and does it all so nonchalantly that you don't realise he's giving your team 25 15 10 with ease

[@cyber6sapien]

This is why I roll my eyes when they say players of the past wouldn't be as good today because guys are 'so much more athletic' now. If that's the case then why is Jokic, a guy who can barely jump over a phonebook, destroying all these athletic guys today?

[@LazarTheMaster]

@@cyber6sapien jokic is a bit different tho...

[@Choujifz]

@@cyber6sapien Jokic is one of a kind tho, either in 90s basket and nowadays.

[@cyber6sapien]

@@Choujifz True. But Luka Doncic is also destroying the league today, and he's not nearly as good as Joker (IMO).

[@t4d0W]

@@Choujifz So are legends of the PAST! Granted some of their game was not as dynamically elite with the combination of strong IQ in their game. Some players then who lived off favorable schemes to take advantage of their amazing feel for the game and fundamentals would easily eat in todays basketball.

[@Katsos44]

Nothing better than kicking back on a Friday and watching some Thinking Basketball

[@GuardVon]

Well getting paid than watching thinking basketball

[@thomasscharplaz7311]

Agreed

[@1caringhuman]

nah FRRRR

[@OjoRojo40]

You can clearly see at 9:24 how he decides NOT to pass the ball. It's not that he didn't see the cut.

[@4real51]

Agreed

[@GunnGunn10]

Jokic resume is insane. He just won the NBA Championship and FMVP. His playoff run was legendary

[@dylangallardo2630]

An 8th seed and 2 7th seeds he beat?

[@GunnGunn10]

@@dylangallardo2630 stupid argument

[@cyruswang9354]

@@dylangallardo2630 so it’s be more impressive if he beat ja morant instead of Lebron?

[@luguentzdorthighlights7894]

I'd do anything to watch Curry and Jokic play together, that offence would be amazing!

[@customfroFN]

Instant championship tbh

[@123forman]

AMAZING, except that neither one can ever leave their franchise. Does Steph wanna join the Serbian national team?

[@alexwhite3830]

One of the greatest passing guys with the GOAT off-ball guy? Sign me in

[@andrejm77]

@@123forman :) We don't want Steph in Serbian national team, don't need him at all!!! Our roster will be monstrous in few years when Pokusevski and Filip Petrusev get some experience. Watch out for Petrusev, comes from same team as Jokic and getting insane numbers for his age... just like Nikola did. Bogdanovic, Micic, Teodosic, Jokic, Marjanovic, Bjelica, Pokusevski, Petrusev.... cant wait for the Olympics.

[@ognjenobrenovic8887]

Andrej Milovanovic oh yes we do need Steph

[@justadude5659]

I clicked faster than a Jokic's no-look pass

[@linkonedgell894]

Jokic no look passes can't klick things.

[@OjoRojo40]

You can clearly see at 9:24 how he decides NOT to pass the ball. It's not that he didn't see the cut.

[@KingGarciaVega]

@@OjoRojo40 I'm assuming the defender being giannis is why he didn't pass it he knew giannis could get the easy chase down

[@OjoRojo40]

@@KingGarciaVega Indeed! he saw Giannis covering the line (or the possibility of it) and clearly decides not to make the pass.

[@th6583]

there is not ANY faster bro..

[@MindfulAttraction]

I'll save this and watch it when I have a fat blunt in my hand tonight. You're blunt worthy, thinking basketball

[@billnyethesciencesguy]

He timed his upload to match my blunt smoking schedule💙💙💙

[@andrewshaffran6174]

Swear I be waiting to smoke to watch his videos lol

[@PresentingGreatMusic]

Facts. That’s exactly what I’m doing rn

[@snail15]

Lmaooo it’s dead accurate how this is. Watching Ben Taylor vids just a little different after smoking

[@MindfulAttraction]

@@billnyethesciencesguy what a guy! I bet he lights up a few

[@Connor629]

I respect what Steph is doing this year, he’s playing out of his mind. That said, Jokic is the MVP.

[@johndeesnotebook5790]

Steph deserves credit, he is insane this year but we need to keep it real, Warriors are currently 9th in Western conference, no MVP award for that in every sane persons mind.

[@ralx225b]

@@johndeesnotebook5790 Which we all know is B.S. it proves that you can only win MVP if your team is good enough. This is the best Steph has ever played, but because his team is trash offensively he gets penalized. Oh well it is what it is.

[@des6890]

@@ralx225b Well Steph did get rewarded when his team was class and Harden was tearing up the league :) .It is what it is!

[@johndeesnotebook5790]

@@ralx225b Bro, it is most valuable player. They are 9th-10th seed so if it wasn't for Steph they would be like 14th, 15th seed, it's not that big of a difference, yeah there is this Play-In B.S. but you know what i'm tryin to say. And now let's look at Jokic, 4th seed and same wining procentage as Sixers in the East. Move Jokic from that team and they would be what seed? Yeah, that's what i'm talking about... I really think that Denver would not be even in Play-In without Jokic let alone in Playoffs.

[@starkk19]

@@johndeesnotebook5790 Sadly, that's how they're always gonna vote. It's like Kobe and Nash back in 06. That Lakers team would have been one of the worst NBA teams in history if not for Kobe. To be fair though, Jokic is a huge part of that Nuggets team. Take him away, and they're definitely not a playoff team. I'd say they'll be a chasing for that last play-in spot if not for him.

[@toteispoe4]

Jokic is like the Basketball Pirlo: he runs the offense while making incredible passes look easy, from a position where the ability to stop attacks is most often seen as of the utmost importance. That's one real tall regista they got over there in Denver! He is making beautiful basketball music. May we hear him deep into summer for many years to come.

[@ChikaNeca]

Love Pirlo reference

[@twodogs5395]

Nobody know who da fuq Pirlo is

[@honuk435]

damn, Pirlo is a great comp actually. let's hope he can do it for as long as Pirlo did

[@ChikaNeca]

@@twodogs5395 nobody younger than 15 probably, what a shame

[@deflandre8286]

@@twodogs5395 if you are american you probably don't know who Pirlo is.

[@chanendlerbong]

Remember when everyone laughed when Gregg said that he is Larry Bird like, well who is laughing now xD

[@simonanderson4858]

Well it's not Gregg because he doesn't laugh

[@s.s7337]

Except that Bird was SF and Jokic is a Center. We've never been a 7 footer pass the ball as well as Jokic. Jokic in the first of his kind.

[@s.s7337]

@James Graham Not really. Jokic is a great shooter so I don't know about that.. Jokic is a way better finisher that's for sure. We've never seen anything like Jokic before a Center with PG passing ability.

[@s.s7337]

@James Graham You must be joking😂 Larry Bird was a great shooter but to compare him to Curry is a bit too much. Let's pump the break a little bit

[@s.s7337]

@James Graham Ok. You made great points on him being a great player but none of that proves that he was in Curry's level as a shooter.

[@shawnakasmallchange]

Joker is like the 2014 Spurs combined in one player.

[@0608jeff]

minus the Tim Duncan defense

[@theultimatepielord8697]

@@0608jeff And the Kawhi Leonard defense

[@timd8912]

Brilliant point......

[@bbching-yu3793]

@@0608jeff now he has become one of the best defenders in league having the highest DPS in the league and the runner-up Giannis is not even close

[@exiledknight3961]

He is the best late pick of all time.

[@connorsherrington7863]

Manu

[@j_quan2594]

@@connorsherrington7863 Not really a comparison

[@connorsherrington7863]

@@j_quan2594 How so? Jokic went 41st Manu went 57th Manu was a better player than Jokic has been so far and he went later

[@innerparty1]

@@connorsherrington7863 didn't know Manu was an MVP level player. Interesting.

[@j_quan2594]

@@connorsherrington7863 Manu a better player than Jokic? He's definitely more accomplished by winning championships but better player? Stop it.

[@supreetbhavireddy7217]

Remember when Gregg Popovich said he was Larry Bird-esque and the media shit on that take? Yeah this is some Larry Bird shit man. As someone too young to see Larry Bird do his magic but has seen videos (like the greatest peak episode) this just makes me soo happy. This guy is making history and I think calling him a 7 foot Larry Bird isn't outrageous anymore. Absolutely beautiful.

[@bahriboy]

Why is he compared to Bird?

[@yarnevolkaert1391]

@@bahriboy passing

[@holyshit860]

@@yarnevolkaert1391 i agree but it's more than that. it's just the basketball sense, touch and just savant level basketball wizardry

[@timwcronin]

@@bahriboy because neither can dunk

[@pr7293]

His most valuable trait is that he gets his teammates PAID! just look at the contracts players sign after they have been playing with him for a few seasons!:O

[@petarkostic6424]

True dat. Grant and Plumlee owe him some money.

[@eliaspepito3281]

This!!! The value of his teammates goes up with him it’s insane. Reminds me of the “cp3 effect” tbh, another player I wanna see compete for a championship before he retires

[@t4d0W]

@@eliaspepito3281 LMAO CP3 is the big man whisperer as Jokic is to utility wings who want EZ scores by cutting to the basket.

[@animebite784]

Look at mpj😂

[@PIP...33]

@@eliaspepito3281 THATS WHY HE DISAPPEARS VS ANTHONY DAVIS WHILE MURRAY BEAT CLIPPERS AND BEAT JAZZ MITCHELL ALONE. WHOS JOKIC AGAIN ?

[@Loqque]

Perfect answer to last night's Shaq rant about MVP for Embid over Jokic.

[@ChikaNeca]

Shaq is forcing Embid cause he knows deep inside that Jokic is going to be greater than him hahahah

[@ChikaNeca]

and he is big baby about it

[@elbowgang9715]

@@ChikaNeca lmao I love Joker and Joel but stop it. 2000 Shaq would brutalize both of them easy work

[@ChikaNeca]

@@elbowgang9715 i said going :D

[@dakcantreadcoverage5780]

@@ChikaNeca no chance he gets close to shaq what are we doing people

[@satisfyingwalks4010]

Thank you Ben, on behalf of all basketball fans. It's so good to see authentic, knowledgeable basketball analysis.

[@ThinkingBasketball]

🙏

[@user-sx4ku6fp7o]

@@ThinkingBasketball this is actually a high five emoji lmfao

[@RLSmith-jt8qj]

@@user-sx4ku6fp7o still works

[@willhooke]

@@user-sx4ku6fp7o it comes up when I type 'thank you' It does come up when 'high five' is written, but further along in position It definitely means thank you 🙂

[@lukaslambs5780]

This man is quietly one of if not the most special player I think in NBA history. I know he hasn’t proven himself over many years like other greats but he’s on pace for something I think a lot more significant than people realize.

[@SirMan48]

You nailed it.

[@triggeredtrey]

I still remember when people doubted this guy ever since he blew up

[@caseydouglas412]

Coming back to this because it was a great watch ,I don’t believe I was sleeping on jokic for so long. The fact that he has pretty much been like this since he came in the league ,just needed the time and faith instilled into him

[@chanendlerbong]

GOAT offensive season from any big, still played all games, Nuggets are 2nd worse offense without him, thats my MVP for this season

[@tdfhion9936]

Crazy how many people still sleep on it tho, if it wasn’t for the Curry and Embiid narratives he’d be getting so much more coverage

[@mintesinotsturm388]

I get the Embiid comment but the media doesn’t actually support the idea of Steph in the MVP convo. It’s just the Embiid narrative that is holding back Jokič.

[@thebronzebomber1985]

Embid is having a better season so.......

[@samslichter3566]

Jokic is now leading his team in every single statistical category, including spg and bpg. He is going to go down as one of the best and most complete players in NBA history.

[@MindfulAttraction]

jokic is an example that bird could still dominater today. Bird would LITERALLY play like jokic but with better shooting and klay thompson like off ball movement

[@yigityoleri1904]

Absolutely, I think among the legends of the game, Bird would have benefited the most from the modern era of basketball. He did 50/40/90 before it was even a thing, like Oscar Robertson was doing triple doubles when triple doubles are not this common

[@KoolaidJaminBoyz]

Man came back blunt in hand🤯

[@cyber6sapien]

Bird would be a cheat code today! I get frustrated when I hear sports analysts compare Luka to Bird when Jokic is ACTUALLY the new incarnation of Bird!!

[@jamesmarhen]

He definitely could, he would just play power forward instead of small forward. He would still be a liability on defense at times but he wouldn't be terrible on defense and on offense more than likely he would get a coach who could unlock his skills more consistently. Bird often played like a guard back in the 80s but now he would do it more plus take more threes, he would fit perfectly in with passing the ball around, he would still be an incredible offensive player.

[@t4d0W]

@@jamesmarhen I love the stories of Bird being a liability on defense but the man has been in three All Defensive-Teams. Opposing teams feared him for his knack for disrupting passes on defense because how well he reads the floor (arguably the point guard on both sides of the floor). I think its because people think Bird is free to switches but he's held his own on 1v1 defensive assignments even on his prime. His mentality being an off ball defender is like that of an elite safety playing QB spy and looking to pounce to make a big play and his hands are ever so active in these situations. I've seen modern players who have amazing metrics for defense and still come up short to Bird's IQ, effort and vision. He's not your defensive anchor (even in the C's that was Parish) but he's makes playing defense around him more elite with his qualities.

[@brtbds4783]

9:36 this is incredible

[@LevelofClarity]

Two years later and he’s only gotten better, wining back to back MVPs, finals championship, and finals MVP. Maybe a few more MVPs and championships and he’ll go down as a GOAT candidate.

[@lilpatriot7484]

If he continues to play at the same rate wins 3 more championships and another MVP here and there he's going to be in the GOAT convo with MJ and Bron

[@seabass8593]

The last player who was amazing at everything Jokic is at is Larry legend, these guys are generational talents who could pass, layup, steal, block, rebound, etc... we are witnessing history

[@lukealbert8539]

LeBron?

[@darnarxz]

@@lukealbert8539 lol right? People on here saying a bunch of dumb shit.

[@shaft9000]

LeBrick can't even settle on a free throw routine, let alone make clutch buckets half the time.

[@alex31794]

sabonis? who does everything better then Jokic...even with no knees

[@Anthonydu01630]

@@shaft9000 Lebron has the most buzzer beater ever in playoffs, second most game winning/tying with 97 only behind kobe who had 101 and Lebron is still playing and is a pass first player. Look at this and tell me Lebron isnt clutch, thats 13minutes of clutchness from him lol : kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5rUpKN9o7t2ac0

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

In this video Jokic is described as possibly having best offensive season ever for a big…and it was for last year! This season he improved even more! Per 100 possessions his scoring increased 1.4pts, rebound increased an amazing 5.1reb, and true shooting increased 0.6%. While asst went down 0.5ast per 100, his asst % went up 2.5%.

[@bobbosworld6795]

You describe these highlights better than anyone on espn or other tv sports networks

[@Kaitos11]

Joker's so fucking good that he's pretty much faking out even the viewer. I'm constantly caught off guard with the insane angles he sees. Also, I don't think I've seen Ben audibly gush so much when discussing any player, past greats included. Jokic is just something else!

[@spurguvitunhuora9119]

When the season started, I put my money on Embiid to be the MVP. But I still really hope Jokic wins it. How could anyone not love this guy?

[@acheeblessyou]

Don't let Shaq watch this, his head might explode

[@ljutko7]

Big explode 😂

[@VArsovski10]

"We've seen this before" :D

[@paolochavez7162]

"google me Erneeh"

[@ziginaigra]

would u pick jokic over shaq?

[@RRRRRRRRR33]

Shaq is like the complete inverse of a pure skilled player like Joker. And sometimes skill beats athleticism, it's rare, but it happens. Look at Olajuwon destroying Shaq (and the Magic double teamed him most of the time, but how the hell can you stop a left baseline fadeaway?). And I believe young and healthy Sabonis would ran circles around Shaq as well, the way he passed the ball was unreal, far more flashy than Jokic (but still, they are pretty much on the same level)

[@BryanHo]

It will be an absolute travesty if Jokic does not win the MVP. And knowing him, he wouldn't care at all.

[@logan3917]

he will win, there are 0 other realistic candidates. the media only talks about other possibilities because it gets views, everyone knows it will be jokic though

[@yoyolol22]

KiiD LoCs curry is still better, American sports have a dumb obsession with team record for a supposedly individual award

[@resurrectedpa]

@@yoyolol22 the man played every game and led his team to the 3rd best record in the West and yeah Steph has less help which sucks, but Jokic's impact for his team is undeniable.

[@ForMindlessConsumption]

@@yoyolol22 because a player who is on a contender ultimately delivers more value to that team than the same player would on a team that isn't. the point of valuable players is to make their team contenders. it would defeat the purpose to give it to someone who clearly has no chance of winning the championship.

[@dentonkellyjr8095]

@@yoyolol22 he is leading the league on win shares and per, meaning he is so significant and is very utilized to the nuggets wins thus making him very valuable to the team.

[@jaxsong519]

Most underated mvp ever

[@jaxsong519]

Underrated*

[@BenjaminFranklinFF1706]

@@jaxsong519 Overrated*

[@andrewgavinet9595]

Man just the way he passes into the cutters is beautiful, it has a flow to it. It’s like watching a bunch of passes get completed at once in soccer or a long rally in tennis, it’s beautiful and mesmerizing

[@SwipaCam]

This is a work of art, sir. Well done. (Raises glass).

[@MarioDiciple]

Its immense to watch the difference between this video and his earlier one. His game has just evolved into perhaps, the ideal offensive weapon. Hes the engine for an offense but doesnt hog the rock. He can shoot which means he can play a strong offball scoring as well as passing game. He creates his own offense when it is needed but finds better offense constantly. Of course hes also probably the best passing big man ever. You really cant stop an offense like that with scheming. You may not like but thats what peak performance looks like. Great video.

[@tdfhion9936]

It’s a shame Jamal got injured, if he carried with him that shotmaking from the bubble (or at least 75% of that), the nuggets could possibly make it out the west, possibly

[@slatsgrobneck7515]

All true. Plus, part of his rise has been that the coaches have really created a unique offense centered on his skills. They've using all his talents to the max.

[@corbing7786]

I'm a simple man I see Nikola Jokic I click

[@OmbrogBox]

Who is else is watching after he just won his first ring?

[@jameslozano8323]

Right here. So proud! Lol

[@jaguardentk]

He plays like a veteran but is still young as hell for a complete player like him

[@921moocow]

I swear to god if Joker doesn't get MVP I am going to be so mad.

[@andrejm77]

Me2.. well storm the Capitol if he's not elected for MVP!

[@uninterruptedrhythm4104]

@@andrejm77 no, you won't. the army's in there now

[@andrejm77]

@@uninterruptedrhythm4104 fuck.. I was not being serious and don't give a shit for Capitol with or without army...

[@Islandkid679]

It's relatively a lock for him now, unless he gets injured...but there so few games before the end of the season so even then, it may not be an issue...

[@twodogs5395]

If Jokic isn't MVP it's because of racism. ESPN's front page has article for the 29-30 Warriors vs 38-20 Nuggets game tonight calling Steph MVP. When have players on a sub-.500 team been considered for MVP. Meanwhile Jokic leads practically every advanced metric and hasn't missed a game all year.

[@thefilipinoknight6617]

You didn’t even include his insane one-motion rebound-into-outlet passes. This man is breaking the MVP stereotype.

[@rizkyanandita8227]

He is like a veteran gymnast. He moved not as explosive as a younger gymnast, but he honed the small detail to make it as graceful as possible.

[@member5003]

He reminds me of when our coach used to play with us when we had people missing. He was slow but making shots from everywhere and passing when we didn't even know we were open

[@MegamanGaming]

I don't get how anyone can say this man is boring to watch. The vision he has on the court is unreal. Haven't seen anything like it since Stockton and Magic.

[@MrExcessum]

At this point, it comes down to: "Tell me you know jack shit about basketball without telling me you know jack shit about basketball"... "Watching Jokic play is boring". "Yup, there we go".

[@cyrillesu]

Dude is like the Tom Brady of centers. He's never gonna beat you with his size or athleticism, but rather with his brains and decision-making. His willingness to confine to his role and not overdo things opens up a lot of opportunities for his teammates to make plays. He doesn't even need to be a strong defensive presence like Embiid in order for the opposing team to fear him. His game is so simple yet so fun to watch. Really looking forward to seeing more of this guy in the next 10-15 years.

[@Goooog237]

The best analytical video ever about the MVP, Jokic.

[@dragojovano7819]

Novak Djokovic and Nikola Jokic are briliant mind sportsmen.

[@takifuki260]

I think he has a potential to be the greatest center of time !

[@chalnervassor9430]

rings, rings, and more rings. hes already the most talented no doubt. but that will constantly be fluid. (remember dirk? now kd ) in the center position it is nearly impossible to crack top 5(shaq, wilt, russell, hakeem, kareem) so he would have to have a stupid shaq like stretch of pure dominance for 5 years to get in the conversation. im talking 4-5 final appearances 2-3 mvps. and nab 1st team constantly (with a prime embiid in the league) 2-3 finals mvps. or something on this caliber. thats an almost impossible list for anyone. but the center position is stupid stacked. he has the talent and he could pull it off...

[@dakcantreadcoverage5780]

@@chalnervassor9430 it woulda been easier to say it will never happen he never will be a top ten big of all time especially with zero defense

[@chalnervassor9430]

@@dakcantreadcoverage5780 not never just insanely hard

[@ziginaigra]

u think wrong:)

[@jedwing]

Better than 6 time MVP Jabbar? Better than 6 time champion Jabbar? Better than all time leading scorer Jabbar? Let's check in 10 years from now. All time greatness should only be judged at the end of a career not after 2 or 3 awesome years.

[@sagebias2251]

Jokic plays the most casual basketball of all time. He makes it look absolutely effortless.

[@analoguejerry9066]

The most exciting "what's gonna happen next" moment in basketball: Jokic standing still, holding the ball aloft in one hand. Sabonis did that too.

[@natevanderw]

We are witnessing the next NBA revolution in Jokic. In 10 years almost every team will have one of him. Edit: A bit of an overstatement, but it is conceivable there will be a number of teams with a a skillset similar to Joker.

[@qeaszz]

will not

[@urosbukovec4435]

want to have. BUT.........

[@jfotso]

Passing like that in a big isn’t something you’ll see in a long time

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

A bit of an overstatement there. There’s not gonna be 30 Jokic like players in just 10 years

[@joshb.1118]

Actually Jokic is the evolution of Draymond, just bigger and better

[@afrohawk]

Knew 2 years ago when I saw this kid that he was going to be unstoppable. As a 50 year old hooper, I can say that this is how all old ballers come to play. When the athleticism and the first step is gone, you then lean on your understanding of movement, both for yourself and others. I coach high school basketball and this is exactly how I abuse our Varsity players. Very few of them can I beat 1 v 1, although I'm still a tough out for them, but I am easily the best playmaker on the floor when we go 5 v 5 in practice. I try to help them see that you don't have to be Michael Jordan to be absolutely great at basketball. You do, however, need incredible fundamentals and a dash of creativity. The fact that the Joker has this exquisite acumen at his age means he will be a perennial All Star and will go down as the best playmaking Big of all time. In a league that almost killed the Center position forever, he serves as an exciting reminder why a great one is priceless!

[@sandrobotticelli1337]

Amen

[@NuclearSpinach]

I don't know a lot about basketball but this guy seems amazing with such a chill, easy energy

[@freshtendrills5969]

He's a create a player come to life. It's unreal. He's a giant Larry Bird. That's almost unstoppable. If they get the right team around him, the nuggets could win a championship.

[@magic3383]

I'm here from June of 2023. He's just a few days away from his first championship. They did steal his 3rd straight MVP award though because they didn't want to be called racist.

[@coolKid-pm1rm]

So nice of you to make a video about the MVP

[@sloaner404]

What does Embiid, Lebron, Curry, Dame, Luka, and Giannis have in common? All 6 disliked this video

[@charlescrawford4907]

Uh wut?

[@sloaner404]

@@charlescrawford4907 at the time of my comment, there were only 6 dislikes

[@pashapasovski5860]

Luka and Joker are good friends and I am sure they are happy for each other

[@jedwing]

Doubt it about Lebron "4 League MVPs and 4 Finals MVPs 4 rings and always in the finals since 2010 (except 2019 the one year he was injured)" James. Same with "3 Rings" Curry. The others, who knows and cares. BTW all you've named including Jokic have been bounced from the playoffs by LeBron, except Giannis, who goes buns up kneeling in the first or second round always.

[@coolishtiger8831]

@@jedwing not this year he didn’t!

[@andisar98]

We're witnessing another all time-great

[@injusticeanywherethreatens4810]

He sorta reminds me of Bill Walton using his height and vision ad fore thought to read and throw the best dimes at even the smallets windows by cutters, but don't get me wrong Walton is probably the very best I have ever seen at getting to cutters. Also he's a bit Bird or Jordan like where he uses his transcendental off ball package to mix his playmaking and scoring! Look at Jokic man so inspirational!

[@bensu4729]

im watching this from above and I still can't see how he saw the passes that he does, it just outright amazes me

[@rasaecnai]

Jokic is just such a joy to watch. Its inspiring basketball.

[@artiommikhailov4543]

I love the Joker. He makes everything look so simple. That's incredible. If Nuggets get healthy before the playoffs, they would be the dark horse in the West and very tough out

[@aumoccbei3197]

He could legit be one of the top 15 players all time if he can get some titles... the skill and talent is there.

[@dakcantreadcoverage5780]

With zero defense I doubt it

[@brankodimitrijevic5033]

@@dakcantreadcoverage5780 lol

[@trimrimmer]

@@dakcantreadcoverage5780 good way to show people you dont watch any basketball

[@dakcantreadcoverage5780]

@@trimrimmer jokic will never be a top 15 player of all time stop the over rating

[@shaft9000]

He'll need at least two rings to be called better than Walton or Ben Wallace, at any rate. Top 15 is passing Moses (1 title, 3 reg MVP, 1 finals MVP) and getting in Shaq's (4 titles, 1 reg MVP, 3 finals MVP) area code.

[@123leviathan123]

What's crazy is watching videos like these and thinking that you somehow didn't mention everything. There's just too much incredible offensive weaponry on display to break it all down in such a short video. For example, how Jokic somehow ramps it up even further in the clutch, with ice in his veins so cold he doesn't even react when he hits a game tying buzzer beater (Dallas earlier this year). Or how he knows his teammates so well (or is it that he's trained them?) that he can make passes to people that he clearly doesn't actually see, but knows are there anyway. I'm not talking about people standing out on their spots on the 3pt line, either. This is on cuts and broken plays (see the pass leading to Jamal's game tying buzzer beater vs the Bulls this year). All I know is that as a fan of Denver sports, I feel incredibly blessed to have Jokic on the Nuggets. There's no other player I'd rather have on the team I cheer for. There's just something magical about watching someone play every single game and yet still finding myself surprised at the passes he makes, the shots he hits, and the way he somehow gets better every single day.

[@nelsonadrianclyde11]

Lets just say it. He's the MVP this year

[@Yo_IneedaNapkin]

Who else is here after 2k/1k/500 stats. Dude is a beast! Much respect!

[@djspacewhale]

rewatching this after he won MVP 😤

[@user-oy7sr1ml4j]

One of the Best YT channels on Sports period

[@1909weasrandom]

i´ve been waiting to see this video, great work, grettings from Chile!

[@nemanjadjuric2676]

When you said Jokic was very "in control" around the 8 minute mark I honestly think thats one of the best ways to describe him. He is always somehow in control of every situation its honestly magical

[@GhostRider5370]

I found this through suggested videos and I must say this is exactly what ive been looking for, for me that doesnt know basketball to well you do a great job breaking it down. Thank you sir!

[@jogunsan]

Do Luka next! Jokic and Luka are my two favorite players to watch they are so skilled and savvy

[@addm15]

Jokic reminds me of how Duncan and Diaw played with all those hand off and rub offs in the spurs system. Love watching him and hope he continues to even get better. Way to make the bigman position dominant during todays guard oriented style💪🏻

[@t4d0W]

Dude it took an extremely outlier offensive center to beat out the easier guard play style for a top 10 player spot. Its a tale of 2 different philosophies in the two best centers of the league. Embiid is on the side of defense but his offense is simple, consistent and the FT rate jails so many who try defend him coming at the paint. Very much like a Robinson or Olajuwon in a sense. Jokic is the side of offense but simply put it is nearly Larry legendary status and we are on the cusp of witnessing it. It is formless with the the modern offense and can play easier with other teammates than Embiid who begs for touches. Jokic's defense is not on the level as Embiid's (especially at the rim) but like Bird, he does enough to keep himself in good position and defend his man exceptionally well.

[@chesscomposer_]

These analyses are incredibly well-crafted.

[@mli3083]

3:34 That was one of the most insane reads I've ever seen. He knew Paul George was going to rotate onto the cutter and passed to the corner before it even happened, catching PG13 off guard and not giving #33 the chance to rotate to the corner. Genius

[@dudelittle147]

Let's a go amazing thanks dude jokic is goated this year 🐐👍👋🏆 hell yeah

[@sphrt2742]

This is why the Nuggets are entertaining to watch. I hope he wins MVP, considering most of the top candidates were out injured.

[@GCWen]

I’ve been waiting for this video! Thank you so much.

[@Lowlevelowl23]

Terrific film work! I appreciate doing a deep dive on Nikola Jokic, a player that is often difficult for the average fan to understand why he is so dominant. ❤️ 🏀🤯

[@igorzivojnovic3700]

I have been waiting for this one

[@amorsolo8242]

This is the most complete and accurate analysis of the Joker that I watched. Thank you.

[@MauricioBarragan]

Your videos get me through the day sometimes man. ❤️.

[@jakekunkel2570]

Hey Ben! I’ve always thought you produced a great product, but this might be the video that puts me over the edge and makes be a patron. Just wanted to say to keep up the great work. I’m always looking forward to your content!

[@Jeff_2x]

Who’s here after the Joker has been named MVP?

[@MerkinMuffly]

He ain't revolutionizing it, as if there's any other center that can pass the way he does, you either got it or you don't, he's basically the Larry Bird of centers and there's never been a center like that, there will never be another Jokic at center.

[@t4d0W]

Its funny because you got advanced stat nerds now who are glorifying the modern NBA like because Jokic exists that there will be other guys like him in the future to resurrect the play styles of past legends. Jokic himself a fucking outlier considering nobody saw him coming from the draft and nobody envisioned that his passing and handles would be transcendent. There will never be another Larry Legend and though Jokic may come close, his talents are just as unique that he is THE first and last Jokic.

[@predragon6196]

its hard to match his talents and feel for the game but he is already heavily influencing skilled new age Bigs who have found new path to staying relevant key players in this 3pt crazed league

[@ninjacow]

You totally right but the landscape may change because teams are now going to start looking for the mythical Joker 2.0, in a few years we may see a difference in the types of centers out on the court based on the archetype change.

[@jonathanlovelace521]

Jokic is incredible, but on offense, Bam is kind of Jokic-lite. For the next 10 years, every young big in the league with some feel for passing will be watching film of his handoff game.

[@RLSmith-jt8qj]

Come on merk. Did you think you would ever see another player like bird in your lifetime?

[@Irfanhill]

Another great video, love what you do! Thanks for giving us great content so often.

[@hmp01]

Beautiful video! I remember your last video on Nikola I watched it 10 times and this one is no exception

[@sonyguy123]

I’m a simple man. I see Thinking Basketball, I click like.

[@victormelon7770]

this is quite literally the first youtube vid I have ever watched

[@oak2847]

Did not realize he was this deep from a viewers standpoint his game looks so slow but in reality it is very technical

[@23jrza]

MVP MVP. Brilliantly articulated. One of the very best channels on KZbin. Thank you 🙏

[@arp_909]

I think you’ve just strengthened his MVP case! Great video

[@chanendlerbong]

1:56 welcome to the today's basketball where a 5'10 point guard is making a screen for a p&r for 7' center

[@Jabbersac]

Welcome to bizarro world.

[@MPHswayze]

Basketball that will never sniff a Finals

[@jgozter]

@@MPHswayze here comes the expert...

[@MPHswayze]

@@TheMissinLink "WCF past two seasons" doubt, lol are Jokic stans right about anything?

[@ramzarugliabeoulve]

John Stockton gives picks to his taller teammates back in the day too.

[@jakeposton2669]

I’ve watched every one of your videos Atleast once, most twice and a hand full 3 or more times, I just can’t get enough, basketball analysis doesnt get better than this

[@darioja2469]

Wow. Just wow. Such an awesome channel. How the heck are you not working on espn or something like that, your insight of the game is off the charts. Keep up the great work man.

[@zylux8088]

I’m not going to lie it’s really amazing how Jokic and Embiid improve their games in these seasons. They both are really good mvp candidates, but I do say Jokic does win it because of Embiid’s miss games. But I’m just happy to see them revive the Center Postion

[@udm1736]

He deserves an MVP for this season. His numbers don't have many FT's behind them as well.

[@devinturner1968]

bro I love you never stop making content

[@bighoney5055]

Yessss I’ve been waiting on this!! Jokic is the best offensive big man I’ve ever seen. He can be a #1 option on a championship team.